March 17, 2003	Monday	Muharram 13, 1424

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SKARDU, March 16: People belonging to various segments of society have criticized the proposed massive retrenchment in the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The AKRSP board of directors, as part of its restructuring and downsizing programme, has decided to lay off over 100 employees of the organization working in the region in various positions since 1986. The AKRSP, as part of the plan, has removed the American national general manager, Stew Rossmosen, and appointed Izhar Hunzai in his place.

Representatives of various public circles told Dawn that the decision would severely affect the development works and worsen the alarming situation of unemployment in this remote hilly and backward area.

Expressing concern over the indifferent attitude of the organization, they said that without providing alternative opportunity to, or proper compensation for, these employees, who have played a vital role in strengthening the organization and building its prestige, their dismissal will be “unfair” and “unjust”.

“Under this decision, they will have no means to feed their families as they have spent their prime age and energies in the organization, and after this decision they are unable to get jobs in government or any other organization because of being over-aged now,” they added.

Meanwhile, hundreds of employees of AKRSP have demanded of the organization to either re-adjust them in the organization or offer golden handshake scheme. They are evolving a strategy to push their demands. For this purpose, they intend to hold protest demonstrations.